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  • Friday, March 01, 2024 4:08 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This year the Top of the Hill Gang again returned to Sunday River to celebrate Leap Day and enjoy five days at that beautiful mountain and the delightful Grand Summit Hotel.  Thirty-nine fearless skiers and hikers, including nine first-timers to TOHG, enjoyed great camaraderie, good food, and better than advertised skiing conditions. Although the forecast called for a week of cloudy weather, somehow four of the five days wound up with hours of bluebird skiing.  A brief mid-week warm-up and rain event benched all but the most intrepid skiers on Wednesday.  Apparently several gang members didn’t see (or chose to ignore) the weather report and racked up thousands of feet of drenched downhill skiing over terrain reminiscent of the previous evenings mashed potatoes.  One of our groups logged so many runs that day that they became known as “The Barker Six” in honor of their favorite new lift.   By Thursday the temperatures plunged and the groomers worked their magic to restore the mountain. Not to be outdone by the “Barker Six”, the fearless five “Warriors of Winter” lasted through Friday when the sparkling, frozen hardback (and some ice) made some of the trails “faster than a speeding bullet”.  Our hikers and snow shoe enthusiasts also found some engaging trails during the week.  

    The gang enjoyed an opening night road trip for gourmet pizzas and salad (thanks to Marge) at the Jordan Hotel.  On Tuesday we were treated to an elegant group banquet right at our hotel.Several of our rock enthusiasts raved about their visit to he Maine Mineral & Gem Museum in nearby Bethel on Wednesday.   We also found lots of time during the week for hot tubs, apres ski by the fireplace, a couple of game nights, and intimate dinners with friends new and old.  Folks left looking forward to our annual “week after school vacation” pilgrimage to Sunday River next year.  

    Tom J
    Sunday River Trip Leader

  • Friday, March 01, 2024 3:56 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Herta B, Joan M, Dibba and  Anker L, Renee K, Judith D, Maureen D

    Twenty six members of the GANG ventured north to Craftsbury, Vt. The weather and trail conditions were great for the beginning of the week. We were able to Cross country ski and  Snow Shoe and took full advantage of the mild weather we were blessed with.

    Paula B. led an Essentrics Class every morning to stretch out our muscles and joints and got us warmed up for the day.  

    Rain on Tuesday night caused many of the trails to be closed on Wednesday but we were not deterred from making the best of it. 

    Craftsbury offered a yoga class Wednesday morning and another Wednesday evening. We also ran our Book Club Wednesday with the help of Polly T. Some of the more adventurous in the group put on their micro spikes and hiked Mt. Hosmer.

    Our evenings were spent socializing and playing games.5 Crowns was the most popular but we also played cribbage and rummy cube. We also set up a small sided pickleball court in the basement and played a few games of pickleball. 

    Maureen D.

  • Tuesday, February 27, 2024 3:45 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The South Mystery Group met for lunch meeting in a private room at Stoneforge Grill in South Easton, MA.  Nine members attended:  Marco and Ines A, Chuck and Susan H, Joe and Maggie C, Joe M and Elaine M and Joan S.

    The group organizers decided that instead of having individual discussions among the lunch attendees, it would be fun to ask them to speak individually to the group, to make the meeting more interesting, cohesive and inclusive for everyone.  

    So, prior to the meeting, an email was sent to them asking, “How well do you know your fellow Mystery Group members? We as a group have been together for a long time, but, mostly what we know about each other is through our connection with TOHG.  We all have lived rich and full lives above and beyond our Gang connections…so share some “mysteries” about our lives that our fellow members may not already know.” 

    We were each given the task of preparing a talk about ourselves that would be positive, interesting and fun to listen to - that shaped who we are today.  It could include acts that we are proud of ourselves for accomplishing or for being a part of.  

    And, boy did that make the meeting extremely interesting and riveting!!  We heard astounding stories about members’ family histories, political, military, work related, and volunteering accomplishments - what is was like growing up and living in different parts of our country and in other countries and how we each assimilated into being the New Englanders we proudly are today - (except for Joe M who was the only native and proud of it!). 

    Now, we agree that we know each other more wholly and completely and are happier for having shared our individual mysteries."

    Elaine M & Joe M

  • Tuesday, February 20, 2024 9:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Great day with bright sun and reasonable temps were enjoyed by those that took advantage of the Impromptu Ski Mount Sunapee Day Trip.

    Dick R

  • Friday, February 16, 2024 10:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    “A perfect day of skiing!” and “Conditions were terrific!” were some of the comments heard from our skiers at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort.  The weather cooperated with good temps in the 20s except for Wednesday when frigid temps and strong winds accosted us.  Despite the weather conditions that day, skiers still said they had a wonderful time while “dressed for the weather”.  

    Meals at the hotel were good, especially for the Super Bowl and Trivia nights.  Some members enjoyed the restaurant at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, and some went for an Italian night at Trujillo’s Restaurant 20 minutes down the road, but for a next visit, a reservation is recommended. 

    Some of us found the Chronology game provided by Karen Schreiber fascinating and a challenge to our knowledge of history. 

    Some even stayed for extra skiing on Friday when conditions were excellent again due to a snowfall on Thursday night. All in all, members are looking forward to more skiing on New England’s Best Mountain!

    Ellen W

  • Thursday, February 15, 2024 8:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Ten Members played indoor mini golf at the North Shore Mall in Peabody "Aloha Mini Glow Golf" wearing flower lais & colorful outfits. It was a blast. Then the 10 of us had a great lunch at the Double Bull Taphouse, also at the mall.

    Linda S

  • Saturday, February 10, 2024 8:20 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Five of us arrived for a day trip to the Gunstock Nordic Center.  The weather was spring-like, and the conditions were excellent.  They had plenty of snow and the trails were well groomed for both track and skate skiing.  The group split up with two staying at the beginner lanes and three crossed the street to the intermediate trails. 

    After a morning of skiing, we ate lunch in front of the Nordic Center.  After lunch we headed back out for more skiing and covered most of the intermediate trails.  This destination has snow making for its cross-country trails.  It was fun to come across their giant reserve pile of snow that they have generated to be moved onto the trails if mother nature makes bare spots.  This destination should continue to provide good cross country skiing well into the spring. 

    Anne W

  • Thursday, February 08, 2024 8:24 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The skies couldn’t have been bluer, the snow couldn’t have been better and even the temperatures were just right. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was just about a 10!

    Twenty-one members trekked up to Bartlett, NH to stay from February 6-8 at the Laurencian Ski Club. The club is comfortable and roomy and ski club (and TOHG) members Maureen S, Joan W and Paul M went out of their way to welcome us. They were always there to pitch in to help and we couldn’t have done it without them!!

    After everyone arrived, we gathered for the traditional happy hour. This year, unlike in 2023, we didn’t lose electricity for hours due to downed power lines!! We feasted on the many delicious dishes everyone brought at a potluck supper. We could have fed an army!

    Next day about half the group set out for Great Glen in Gorham for some truly outstanding XC skiing. Others skied at Bear Notch and others snowshoed. One group of showshoers were challenged with some very tough uphills, but in Top of the Hill style, they powered through and returned tired, but triumphant.

    Hungry as bears after all the exertion we filled up on pizza, salad and lots of tasty leftovers. On the way home many took advantage of the still gorgeous weather and conditions and got in some more exercise.

    If the members of the ski club will have us, we’ll be back!!!

    Judy T

  • Friday, February 02, 2024 5:44 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Waterville Valley ski trip was a huge success. We had cross country skiers, snowshoers, walkers, and downhill skiers. 

    At varying times we had fifty-four members of TOHG at the Silver Fox Inn. We filled 28 rooms out of a total of only 32, the goal next year is to fill the entire hotel with TOHG members.

    A fun time was had by all, the weather did not quite co-operate with us, especially with the down hill skiers due to the fact that most days were somewhat overcast making for “flat light conditions”, but most of us skied many runs and well into the day.

    Since the hotel does not have a liquor license we were able to have our favorite beverages in the gathering space as well as the restaurant.

    We started the week of with a Pizza night on Sunday night for the skiers that arrived on Sunday since due to the International Ski Competition the hotel, could not accommodate all of us on Sunday.

    Each day the hotel served us breakfast as well as dinner, with many items such as coffee, juice, muffins, bacon, sausages, eggs, and a number of additional hot items, for breakfast .

    Dinner had a variety of entrees as well as vegetables not to mention delicious desserts, so no one went hungry and many of us will need to watch our weight in the next week or so.

    Prior to dinner each night, we got together in the gathering space for snacks and our favorite beverages, at our après ski get-together

    Most nights following dinner folks either gathered in the “living room” on the second floor, or for games on the third floor, that were always interesting, fun. and with lots of laughs.

    Bob G

    There were lots of options for activities at Waterville during five days in the North Country—x-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even hiking! Some downhill skiers found our idea of fun so compelling that they decided to join us for a day.

    The snowshoe group enthusiastically embraced a suggestion from Alan Ulrich to use the National Forest trails which require no trail pass. We traversed the Livermore Trail and several others in the northern part of the Nordic Center area.

    Things you missed if you didn’t join us? Snow- shoeing across streams was no sweat for Anker L! The Mad River rushing along in headlong celebration of winter with snow- crowned rocks and snow-dusted trees. Not only that, you missed lunch at The Valley Pub!

    The game of Balderdash in the evenings was a hoot! Do you know what a breastsummer is? No, not a group of busty German girls and not the time in Indian summer when young boys go into heat (two valiant guesses from our intrepid gamers). Look it up. It’s bound to enhance your life!

    Marina K

  • Thursday, January 25, 2024 2:35 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Eighteen spirited skiers (and hikers) enjoyed a three-day stay at Loon Mountain. We were treated to abundant sunshine on the slopes Monday morning and well-groomed trails through Tuesday. Wednesday’s early risers enjoyed several inches of fresh powder which made for some exhilarating skiing. Our skiers all found partners with similar levels of skiing expertise and appetite for challenge. Like many TOHG trips, we experienced few if any lift lines and ample room on the trails. We welcomed some new TOHG skiers as well as longtime friends, not officially on the trip, who joined us to ski for a day or two.  

    The Pollard Brook Inn provided us with spacious suites, as well as a spacious lodge and a couple of soothing hot tubs (one indoors, one outdoors). We enjoyed Happy Hours each night and went out to the legendary Gordi’s Fish and Steak House for a group dinner on the final evening. Many folks expressed a desire to return to Loon and Pollard Brook, perhaps for a slightly longer stay. 

    Thomas J

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